Glenn's System... Need Advice!

[Antonmb]

Wow, very nice new toys. I love the look of your Ayre.

[ctsooner]

I'm excited about the new remote we will get with the QX-5/Twenty. The remote that comes with the amps is a bit large for me. I have one of those Logitech universal remotes as it's easy for the family play with the system when I'm not around, but the new remote is a keeper I was told. Just ergonomically correct. Just another way that Charley and his engineers learn from customer feedback.

Only two days away from the Northeast premier at Audio Connections in Verona, NJ. Are any of you folks reading this thread going? I'd love to know who to look for in advance, lol.

[essjay]

still waiting for updates

[ctsooner]

Glenn, did you get to audition the Vandersteen 7's yet? I auditioned the Wilson Alexis as well as Paradigm's newest speaker that will be shipping soon (35k). The Paradigm's are intriguing. They weren't burned in yet, but were very musical. The Wilson's were running on the Ayre Ref stack. I just couldn't warm up to them. Better than previous Wilson's. This is the fifth time I've heard them with various electronics and for me they are dynamic, but they don't give the layering I got with the Vandersteen 5 or 7's. The Paradigms will give that once they burn in I think. I trust the guys at Timbre there in Houston. The owner used to be a producer and will talk great recordings with you, lol. Let use know what's up.

I haven't been able to hear the QX5 burning in, but I asked a friend who keeps hearing it every couple of days and he says it keeps getting better and better. He said it sounds nothing like it did out of the box. Everything keeps getting 'right'. The top and bottom keep getting bigger and better are the words he used. I can't wait to get mine, turn it on and keep playing music. I may not even go up and listen for the first week or two, lol.

[ctsooner]

Glenn??? lol

[SCAudiophile]

Congratulations on the Ayre KX-R & MX-R Twenty; they are fantastic! I side with several prior posts to essentially let them settle in and then determine how fair they have vaulted your system and current speaker performance forward (they will). You also cannot go wrong with Vandys, you may also wish to listen to Legacy AERIS or Whisper XDS (willing to talk via phone if you want details), the Martens that were pointed out, Tidal Contriva G2 and Agoria, Evolution Acoustics MMTwo or MMTwo Exacts and several others for the room size you elude to. Once again, congratulations on what is a fantastic upgrade!!!

[aurimasna]

Originally Posted by audiohippo

The Sonus Faber Amati Futura are an awesome speaker.

I would try a different pre/amp/dac.

Maybe try:

McIntosh C1100 with MC452 or MC601s plus DAC
Mcintosh C2500 with MC452 or MC601s
ARC Ref6 and Ref75 plus DAC
ARC Ref6 with GS150 plus DAC



[

Hi, Audiohippo, I know that it is an old thread, but neveretheless; I am at same crossroad with selection of aplifier for my SF AF, do you think ARC Ref 75will be enough to drive them? Have you heard this set up in real life? I can't select an amplifier for almost 1.5 year, tried many options, but keep coming back to ARC tubes. Probably the best sound was from Dan Agostino integrated, but it's way above my max price tag.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by aurimasna

Hi, Audiohippo, I know that it is an old thread, but neveretheless; I am at same crossroad with selection of aplifier for my SF AF, do you think ARC Ref 75will be enough to drive them? Have you heard this set up in real life? I can't select an amplifier for almost 1.5 year, tried many options, but keep coming back to ARC tubes. Probably the best sound was from Dan Agostino integrated, but it's way above my max price tag.

You might want to check out this thread:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/sonus...ence-75-a.html

[gaboudreaux]

Hello all! Sorry I'm just responding to some of your posts, but I was preoccupied with work and other hobbies and wasn't very active on AA for a couple of months.

My most recent addition to my system is the Aurender N10. Installed it last week and still getting familiar with it. It sounds great and sooo easy to use with the iPad.

I also just ordered (28) Ultra Mini and (8) Ultra SS Stillpoints to float all my electronics and speakers. Will be interesting to see what difference it makes.

I really have the itch to go analog too, but that would impact my ability to upgrade speakers. Looking at the VPI Avenger TT... decisions, decisions.

Antonmb, thank you! These R series are really amazing!

SCAudiophile, thank you for the additional speaker recommendations. Will have to research those mentioned.

ctsooner, I STILL have not listened to the Vandy's, but really need to. I may give them a call again next week and see if I can schedule an audition. Also, I now have a few hundred hours on the QX-5 and it sounds really good.

essjay, I would say the biggest improvement from the 5 series to the R series is it's a thicker sound... more "meat on the bone" while more open and airy at the same time... hard for me to explain. I still have some things to do (install Stillpoints, audition better cables, and room treatment), but feel I'm on my way to achieving my desired sound.

[ctsooner]

Glen let's talk again. My QX is broken in and sounding sick. I have a basis TT and Aesthetix Rhea phono stage that needs to be burned in as it's a new upgraded power supply. Benz glider cartridge. Won't break the bank at all and it's better than any of the VPI I have heard plus you can upgrade later with a newer Basis arm and it will crush anything under 15-20k based on my ears. PM me or call if you still have my number.